Northumbria Police detective sacked and blacklisted over trans policy comments

Detective Constable Rachel Fletcher, a veteran officer with 20 years of service, has been dismissed for gross misconduct by Northumbria Police. Following her dismissal, she has been placed on a police blacklist alongside individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as Wayne Couzens and David Carrick.

The dismissal follows reports from male colleagues regarding remarks made by Fletcher in response to police guidelines that allow transgender offenders to request strip-searches by female officers. The force stated that Fletcher made comments that were "sexist, inappropriate and offensive," as well as "transphobic." Specifically, she was accused of using the phrase "cocks in frocks" and allegedly stating that "all men are rapists," a claim Fletcher denies, asserting she said "all rapists are men."

Fletcher has criticized the decision, suggesting the allegations were a response to her opposition to what she describes as "gender ideology." She intends to challenge her firing at an employment tribunal, arguing that her expressed opinions constitute protected beliefs.